Dispensing head, assembly including a dispensing head, and method of use

ABSTRACT

A dispensing head on a reservoir containing a first product, such as a cosmetic or care product, comprises a passage opening into at least one product outlet orifice. The passage extends through a cavity upstream of the outlet orifice. A second product in solid or semi-solid form may be disposed in the cavity so as to be in contact with the first product when the first product is dispensed from the reservoir. The cavity may have an opening accessible, from outside the head, via at least one moveable element articulably coupled to a body of the dispensing head.

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing head, a dispensingassembly equipped with a dispensing head, and a method for using thedispensing head to dispense a first and a second product.

[0002] In the field of cosmetics, such as skin care or makeup, forexample, it is common practice for various combinations to be producedfrom a base composition, such as a make-up composition or moisturizingcomposition, for example, in an aqueous phase with active ingredientssuch as vitamin C, vitamin A or any other active ingredient used for itscosmetic or other similar dermo-pharmacological benefits.

[0003] Certain combinations of such compositions do not pose problemsinsofar as the active ingredient to be combined with the composition isrelatively stable, when incorporated into the composition. Problems mayarise, however, with certain combinations when the active ingredientdegrades relatively quickly over time, particularly upon contact withwater or any other solvent that may be contained in the basecomposition.

[0004] Furthermore, there may be a need for a type of care, sometimesreferred to as “bespoke care,” whereby the user herself, according toher circumstances, her environment, or quite simply according to theneeds of her skin, chooses the active ingredient or ingredients shewishes to combine with the base composition.

[0005] Examples of conventional dispensing devices can be found in U.S.Pat. No. 5,249,712 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,593,894. In these devices,accessibility to the portion of the dispensing head containing thesecond product with which the first product is intended to be broughtinto contact is via a removeable element that is either screwed orsnap-fastened onto the dispensing head. As a result of thisconfiguration, the removeable element may become lost en route.Furthermore, the outlet of the dispensing head is formed in theremoveable element. Upon opening this removeable element, it may benecessary for the fingers to come into contact with a portion of thedispensing head that has been soiled with product, or with the mixtureof the first and the second products.

[0006] An optional object of the present invention is to provide adispensing head and a dispensing assembly equipped with such a headwhich in a relatively simple and economical way may make it possible tocombine one or more active ingredients with a base composition and bringthose one or more active ingredients into contact only at the time themixture is to be applied to the surface to be treated.

[0007] Another optional object of the invention is to provide adispensing head, and a dispenser equipped with such a head, that allowsthe active ingredient that is to be associated with the base compositionto be selected by the user as desired.

[0008] A further optional object of the invention is to provide adispensing head, and a dispenser equipped with such a head, which may berelatively simple to use and may be washed, particularly each time theactive ingredient is changed.

[0009] Yet other optional objects will become apparent from the detaileddescription which follows.

[0010] The devices and methods of dispensing described herein mayoptionally solve some or all of the problems discussed above withreference to conventional dispensing devices and methods. It should beunderstood that the invention could be practiced without performing oneor more of the optional objects and/or advantages described above.Certain other optional aspects of the invention will become apparentfrom the detailed description which follows.

[0011] According to an optional aspect of the invention, a dispensinghead comprises a passage configured to be placed in flow communicationwith at least one reservoir for containing a first product. Thedispensing head further may comprise a cavity in flow communication withthe passage. The cavity may be configured to contain a second product.An outlet orifice may be in flow communication with the cavity, theoutlet orifice being configured to dispense the first product and thesecond product together. The dispensing head may further comprise amoveable element configured to articulate between an open positionproviding access to the cavity from outside the dispensing head and aclosed position closing off access to the cavity from outside thedispensing head.

[0012] Yet another optional aspect of the invention includes adispensing head comprising a body defining a passage, a cavity, and adispensing outlet. The dispensing head may further comprise a moveableelement configured to move with respect to the body from an openposition providing access to the cavity from outside the dispensing headto a closed position closing off access to the cavity from outside thedispensing head. The passage may be configured to be in flowcommunication with at least one reservoir for containing a firstproduct, and the cavity may be configured to contain a second product tobe dispensed together with the first product through the outlet.

[0013] Yet another optional aspect of the invention includes adispensing assembly comprising at least one reservoir for containing afirst product and an airless pump associated with the at least onereservoir for flowing the first product from the at least one reservoir.The dispensing assembly may further comprise a dispensing head foractuating the airless pump. The dispensing head may comprise a cavityconfigured to contain a second product, and an outlet in flowcommunication with the cavity. The outlet may be configured to dispensethe first product and the second product upon actuation of the airlesspump.

[0014] As used herein, the term “airless pump” refers to a pump thatprovides pumping of a substance from a reservoir in essentially a singledirection without permitting reverse (intake) flow of air via the pump.That is, as product is pumped from the reservoir, the pumped product isnot replaced with a corresponding volume of air, or other substancethrough the pump, thus ensuring that no air will be taken into thereservoir after a dose of product has been dispensed.

[0015] According to another optional aspect of the invention, themoveable element may, apart from providing access to the cavity(particularly with a view to introducing the second product) fulfillother roles. For example, it may act as a valve equipping the outletorifice of the dispensing head. It may also define at least part of thecavity for containing the second product. Alternatively, the moveableelement may delimit all or part of the passage situated downstream ofthe cavity. Finally, at least a portion of the moveable element mayimmobilize the second product within the cavity.

[0016] The dispensing head optionally may be made of a single pieceobtained by molding. The cost may be low and its operation, particularlythe insertion of a fresh amount of second product, may be relativelyeasy and may be done without the risk of overly dirtying the fingers.

[0017] The user optionally may selectively choose which activeingredient, i.e., second product, she wishes to combine with the basecomposition. She may change it each time she wishes, either after havingcompletely used up the particular second product in the cavity or duringthe course of the use of a particular second product. Each time the userchanges the second product in the cavity, the user may rinse thedispensing head under the tap so as to rid the cavity and thesurrounding passages of any solid residue which may remain therein. Thismay avoid blocking the passages in the dispensing head and/orcontaminating one active ingredient in a second product with anotheractive ingredient in another second product.

[0018] As an option, the moveable element may move with respect to theproduct outlet of the dispensing head. The moveable element also maymove with respect to at least a portion of the passage. The passage maybe situated downstream of the cavity (with respect to the direction inwhich the product flows during dispensing, i.e., the dispensing flowdirection). These characteristics may distinguish the device accordingto optional aspects of the present invention from the conventionaldevices described earlier in which both the part of the passage situateddownstream of the cavity and the outlet are formed in the moveableelement.

[0019] As another option, the moveable element may be configured, atleast in the closed position, to sealingly cover the cavity. The closedposition may be understood as meaning a position in which the moveableelement may not be subjected to appreciable stress, for example stressresulting from the pressure of the product.

[0020] In the optional embodiment, the moveable element may beselectively moved between a first position in which the cavity is incommunication with the outlet, and a second position in which the cavityis accessible so that a block of the second product may be introduced.

[0021] The cavity may optionally be located upstream of the outlet ofthe dispensing head in a dispensing flow direction. The cavityoptionally may be located downstream of at least a portion of thepassage in a dispensing flow direction. As an option, at least a portionof the passage may be located downstream of the cavity in a dispensingflow direction.

[0022] The moveable element may optionally be configured to articulatewith respect to a portion of the passage disposed downstream of thecavity. For example, a hinge could be provided to enable the movableelement to pivot about a hinge axis.

[0023] In yet another optional embodiment, the dispensing head maycomprise a mixing mechanism for facilitating mixing of the first andsecond products together. The mixing mechanism may comprise at least oneof baffles, reducers, and breakers. The mixing mechanism also optionallymay be disposed between the cavity and the outlet. Such a mixingmechanism also may make it possible to hinder the block of product insolid from being carried along as in whole form toward the outlet. Thislast function may also be fulfilled using a member, for example, in theform of a grating or other similar perforated member arranged betweenthe cavity and the outlet orifice so as to hold the block of secondproduct in solid or semi-solid form inside the cavity. The perforatedmember optionally may be disposed between the cavity and the outlet.

[0024] As an option, the moveable element may comprise one of a lidattached to a portion of the dispensing head via an articulation and avalve configured to open in response to sufficient pressure.

[0025] The dispensing head may optionally comprise a second moveableelement, wherein at least a portion of the second moveable elementdefines the outlet. The second moveable element may optionally beconfigured to articulate with respect to at least a portion of thedispensing head.

[0026] The moveable element may be configured to hold the second productand to position the second product in the cavity when the moveableelement is in the closed position.

[0027] In yet another optional embodiment, the dispensing head may beconfigured to actuate one of a pump and a valve to dispense the firstproduct from the reservoir. The dispensing head optionally may be in theform of a push-button actuator.

[0028] The dispensing head may further comprise the second product andthe cavity may optionally contain the second product. The second productmay be chosen from a solid product and a semi-solid product. The secondproduct may optionally be in the of a compacted powder, a gel, a cream,of a gum or an element covered with a membrane capable of dissolving orbursting under the pressure of the base composition. As an option, thesecond product may be such that before being dissolved in the basecomposition, i.e., the first product, or carried along in fragmentsthereby, the second product may be able to reside in a localized mannerinside the cavity even though a portion of the passage may pass throughit. By way of another optional example, the second product may becontained, for example, in the form of a powder, within a porous supportsuch as an open-cell or semi-open-cell foam, a woven or a nonwovenmaterial, or a sintered material. The second product also may optionallycomprise a cosmetically active ingredient.

[0029] The cavity containing the second product may be at a distancefrom the outlet.

[0030] The moveable element may be on a different face of the dispensinghead from the face onto which the outlet opens, or it may be on the sameface. In the latter instance, it may be possible for the cavitycontaining the second product to be immediately upstream of a valve withwhich the outlet may be equipped, and which opens under the pressure ofthe product. In this case, the valve may constitute the moveable elementof the present invention. According to this optional embodiment, theproduct may be introduced into the cavity through the valve, for exampleby forcing it open using an appropriate tool or a finger. Likewise, uponuse, the mixture of the first and second products may exit via thevalve, which may open under a sufficient pressure.

[0031] According to another optional embodiment, the moveable elementmay comprise a flap hinged by means of a film hinge, or any other typeof articulation mechanism. A locking means, of the clip-fastening type,for example, may be provided, so as to lock the moveable element in aclosed position.

[0032] The second product optionally may be contained inside aperforated housing carried by the moveable element and configured, whenthe moveable element is in the closed position, to be housed in thecavity. One end of the perforated housing may be closed by a portion ofthe surface of the moveable element and the other end may be open sothat the solid element may be positioned and closed within the cavitywhen the moveable element is in the closed position. Slots may extendaxially between the two ends of the housing to allow the first productto come into contact with the solid product contained in the housingand/or to allow the mixture of the two products to be carried towardsthe outlet orifice.

[0033] The dispensing head optionally may be shaped in the form of apush-button capable of allowing the actuation of at least one dispensingelement, particularly of a pump or of a valve. The at least one productoutlet may be formed inside a diffusion member forming part of thedispensing head. For example, the portion forming the outlet maycomprise a grating, a sintered material, a foam, a valve that is openedunder the pressure of the product, or a nozzle, such as a swell-inducingnozzle. The outlet also optionally may be closed by a valve, such as,for example, an elastomeric strip capable of opening under the pressureof the product and of closing by elastic return when the pressureceases.

[0034] According to another optional aspect of the invention, adispensing assembly comprises at least one reservoir configured tocontain a first product and a dispensing head associated with thereservoir.

[0035] The dispensing assembly may further comprise a dispensingmechanism associated with the reservoir, the dispensing head beingconfigured to actuate the dispensing mechanism to dispense the firstproduct from the reservoir. The dispensing mechanism optionally may bechosen from a pump and a valve.

[0036] The passage optionally may be configured to engage with a stem onone of the pump and the valve.

[0037] The at least one reservoir optionally may be defined by at leastone moveable portion. The moveable portion may be chosen from a flexiblewall and a piston. As another option, the at least one reservoir has avariable volume.

[0038] The volume of the at least one reservoir may decrease as thefirst product is dispensed from the at least one reservoir. Thereservoir may optionally be in the form of a flexible pouch or a bottle.According to yet another optional embodiment, the reservoir may be inthe form of a deformable-walled bottle or tube configured to force thefirst product to exit as a result of a raised pressure resulting fromthe deformation of the walls. Such deformation may be caused bysqueezing, for example.

[0039] The at least one reservoir optionally may comprise tworeservoirs. The dispensing assembly may further comprise two dispensingmechanisms, each dispensing mechanism being associated with one of thereservoirs to dispense the product. Also optionally, the dispensing headmay be configured to actuate both dispensing mechanisms simultaneously.

[0040] Optionally, the dispensing assembly further comprises the secondproduct and the cavity contains the second product. The second productoptionally may comprise a cosmetically active ingredient. Alsooptionally, the dispensing assembly may comprise the first product andthe reservoir may contain the first product. The dispensing assembly mayoptionally comprise the second product, with the cavity containing thesecond product, and wherein the first product may be capable ofdissolving the second product.

[0041] According to yet a further optional aspect of the invention, amethod for dispensing a first product and a second product comprisesproviding a dispensing head, wherein the at least one reservoir containsthe first product. The method may further comprise providing the secondproduct in the cavity and flowing the first product from the reservoirto the cavity. Further, the method may comprise passing the firstproduct and the second product from the cavity and through the outletorifice.

[0042] The method optionally may further comprise actuating one of apump and a valve to flow the first product from the at least onereservoir. The actuating optionally may comprise moving at least aportion of the dispensing head relative to the at least one reservoir.

[0043] As an option, there may be a plurality of second products and themethod may further comprise removing one of the second products that isdisposed in the cavity and replacing the removed second product withanother one of the second products. The plurality of second productsoptionally may be chosen from second products having similarcharacteristics and second products having differing characteristics.

[0044] According to another optional aspect, the method may furthercomprise articulating the moveable element to the open position toprovide the second product in the cavity.

[0045] As yet another option, the method may further comprise mixing thefirst and second products in the cavity and the passing may comprisepassing the mixture through the outlet orifice.

[0046] As an option, the method also may comprise dissolving the secondproduct with the first product.

[0047] According to another optional embodiment, the assembly accordingto the invention comprises two reservoirs each containing a firstproduct and each equipped with a dispensing mechanism, such as a pump ora valve. The dispensing head may be capable of causing the simultaneousoperation of each of the dispensing mechanisms.

[0048] Optionally, the second product in solid form may contain at leastone cosmetic or care active ingredient, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, orkojic acid, for example.

[0049] Aside from the structural and procedural arrangements set forthabove, the invention could include a number of other arrangements, suchas those explained hereinafter. It is to be understood that both theforegoing description and the following description are exemplary.

[0050] The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate optional embodimentsof the invention and, together with the description, serve to explainsome principles of the invention. In the drawings,

[0051]FIG. 1 is a cross-section of an optional embodiment of adispensing assembly according to an optional aspect of the invention;

[0052]FIG. 2 is a cross-section of another optional embodiment of adispensing assembly according to another optional aspect of theinvention;

[0053]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an optional embodiment of adispensing head according to an optional aspect of the invention;

[0054]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an optional embodiment of adispensing head according to another optional aspect of the invention;

[0055]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing head of FIG. 4;

[0056]FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an optional embodiment of adispensing head according to yet another optional aspect of theinvention;

[0057]FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing head of FIG.6A;

[0058]FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an optional embodiment of adispensing head according to yet another optional aspect of theinvention;

[0059]FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing head of FIG.7A;

[0060]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an optional embodiment of adispensing head according to yet another optional aspect of theinvention; and

[0061]FIG. 9 is a yet another optional embodiment of a perspective viewof a dispensing assembly according to an optional aspect of theinvention.

[0062] The dispensing assembly 1 depicted in FIG. 1 comprises aflexible-walled pouch 2, which may be optionally be formed of amulti-layer complex containing a layer of aluminum. The pouch 2 may haveone end closed by an end wall 3 and an opposite end having a free edgedelimiting an opening 3′. Mounted in a sealed manner inside the openingis an intermediate piece 5. The sealed mounting of the intermediatepiece 5 on the pouch 2 may be achieved by bonding or welding togetherthe interior surface of the free edge of the pouch 2 and the exteriorsurface of a lateral skirt 6 formed by the intermediate piece 5. Thelateral skirt 6 may have an annular bulge 8 designed to engage, forexample, by snap-fastening, with a corresponding groove 9 formed on theinterior surface of a chamber 10. The chamber 10 may optionally beformed of a rigid polypropylene. The bottom end of the reservoir 10 mayhave an opening 11 for allowing air into the space lying between therigid chamber 10 and the flexible-walled pouch 2. This may make itpossible to compensate for a reduction in volume of the pouch as aresult of dispensing a dose of product from the dispensing assembly 1.

[0063] Optionally, the pouch 2 may contain a moisturizing composition Pfor the body.

[0064] The intermediate piece 5 may comprise an axial hollow slot 12 inwhich an airless pump 13 may be mounted, such as by force-fitting, forexample. The pump 13 may comprise an emerging stem 14 on which may bemounted a dispensing head 15. The dispensing head 15 may be mounted onthe pump 13 via a passage portion 16 engaging with the emerging stem 14of the pump 13. An outlet orifice 17 may be formed in the dispensinghead 15. The passage portion 16 may connect the stem 14 to the cavity 20formed in the dispensing head. A solid block of product 21, which maycomprise vitamin C or another active ingredient, may be placed insidethe cavity 20. On the other side of the cavity 20, another portion 30 ofthe passage may open into the outlet orifice 17.

[0065] Optionally, the dispensing head 15 may be formed ofpolypropylene. The dispensing head 15 may comprise a top surface 22configured to activate the pump 15. The surface 22 may have a shutter 23configured to reversibly stopper an opening 24 delimited by an edge ofthe cavity 20. The shutter 23 may be pivotably coupled to (i.e.,configured to articulate with respect to) the body 4 of the dispensinghead 15. According to this optional embodiment, the shutter 23 may beconnected to the body 4 via an articulation member, such as a filmhinge. The shutter may be articulable about an axis A. On the oppositeside of the axis A, the shutter 23 may comprise a bulge 25 capable ofallowing the shutter 23 to be locked in the closed position, forexample, by clip-fastening. The dispensing head used according to thisoptional embodiment is depicted in perspective view in FIG. 3.

[0066] Having introduced the solid block 21 of second product into thecavity 20, the user may close the shutter 23 again. The pump 13 may beactivated by pressing on the top surface 22 of the dispensing head 15,causing the product P to flow through the pump stem 14. The product Pmay enter into the portion 16 of the passage and then into the cavity 20where it is brought into contact with the block of product 21. This maycause all or some of the block 21 to dissolve or to fragment. Themixture obtained may then leave through the outlet orifice 17 via thepassage portion 30. A grating 29 may be arranged at the entry to theportion 30 of the passage, so as to prevent the block of product 21 frombeing carried along directly toward the outlet orifice 17. The block ofproduct 21 may be dissolved or fragmented in its entirety in the courseof one and the same use of the dispenser. Alternatively, one and thesame block of product 21 may be used for several cycles involving thedispensing of the product P.

[0067] In the optional embodiment of FIG. 2, the product P is containeddirectly in a rigid chamber 10. Inside the chamber 10, a piston 50 maybe mounted such that it is free to slide as the product P is graduallydispensed. The piston 50 may move up inside the rigid chamber 10 underthe effect of a decrease in pressure in the chamber 10 resulting from areduction in volume of product P, which reduction is not compensated forby a corresponding volume of air. The dispensing head 15 may in allother respects be substantially similar to the dispensing head describedwith reference to FIG. 1.

[0068] The dispensing head 15 shown in FIG. 4 may be distinguished fromthe dispensing head of FIG. 3 in that the second product in solid blockform 21 is placed inside a perforated skirt 80 carried by the closureelement 23. The skirt 80 may have a number of slots 81 delimitingelastically deformable tabs capable of trapping the block of product 21prior to its first use. In accordance with the illustration in FIG. 5,by closing the lid 23, the free end 82 of the skirt 80 comes more orless into contact with the closed end of the cavity 20, so as to retainthe second product in block form 21 inside the skirt 80. The product Pcontained in the reservoir may come into contact with the solid block ofproduct 21 via the open end of the skirt 80. The mixture of the twoproducts may be directed toward the outlet orifice 17 via the axialslots 81.

[0069] The optional embodiment of FIG. 5 may also include baffles 71provided in the passage portion 30 leading to the outlet orifice 17.Baffles 71 may facilitate the homogenization of the mixture of the firstand second products as they are flowed toward the outlet orifice 17. Forreasons associated with the molding of such a part, and also withcleaning it, particularly the passage portion 30 comprising the baffles,it may be possible for the moveable element to extend as far as theoutlet orifice 17, thus partially delimiting the passage portion 30. Theother ways in which the dispensing head 15 according to this optionalembodiment works are similar to the operation described with referenceto the previous optional embodiments.

[0070] In the optional embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6B, the dispensing head 15comprises a body 4 configured to be mounted on a reservoir (not shown).The reservoir may be equipped with a pump, of which an emerging stem(not depicted) may be configured to be force-fitted into an axial endpiece delimiting a passage portion 16. The passage portion 16 may openinto a cavity 20 formed in a moveable element 100. The moveable element100 may be articulably coupled such that the moveable elementarticulates with respect to the body 4 about an axis A. When themoveable part 100 is in the flipped down position (i.e., the closedposition shown in FIG. 6B), the cavity 10 may have an opening 24 incommunication with a passage portion 30 situated downstream of thecavity 20. The passage portion 30 may open into an outlet orifice 17. Asan option, the outlet orifice 17 may be selectively closed by anelastomeric valve 101.

[0071] In use, the user may articulate moveable part 100 about the axisA so as to provide access to the opening 24. Through the opening 24, theuser may then introduce into the cavity 20 a solid pellet 21 of a secondproduct with which the first product P contained in the reservoir isintended to come into contact. The user may then pivot the moveable part100 down so as to place the cavity 20 and the outlet orifice 17 in flowcommunication. The dispensing head may then be ready for use. Adispensing of the mixture may take place by actuating a pump on thereservoir (not shown) in response to the dispensing head 15 being pushedaxially with respect to the reservoir.

[0072] The pellet 21 may be dissolvable by the first product P from thereservoir. Once the pellet 21 has been completely dissolved, it mayeasily be replaced by proceeding as indicated above. It may be possible,before a new pellet of the second product is introduced into the cavity20, for the dispensing head to be rinsed in order to clean it.

[0073] In the optional embodiment of FIGS. 7A-7B, the dispensing head 15may comprise a body 4 intended to be mounted on a reservoir (not shown).The reservoir may be equipped with a pump including an emerging stem(not shown) intended to be force-fitted into an axial end piecedelimiting a passage portion 16. The passage portion 16 may open into acavity 20. The bottom part of the cavity may be delimited by adiscontinuous skirt 106 formed by the body 4. The discontinuous skirt106 may be a continuation of the passage portion 16. The upper part ofthe cavity 20 may be formed by a portion of a moveable element 102. Themoveable element 102 may be configured to articulate with respect to thebody 4 about a fixed axis A. The axis A may be substantiallyperpendicular to an axis X of the dispensing head 15.

[0074] The bottom part of the cavity 20 may delimit an opening 24. Themoveable element 102 may comprise an axial skirt 105. Near one end ofthe skirt 105 may be a grating 103. The grating 103 may be configured toextend across the opening 24 and hold the pellet 21 in place inside itscavity 20 when the moveable element 102 is in the flipped down position(i.e., the closed position).

[0075] The dispensing head 15 also comprises a second moveable element,which may be in the form of a lid 104, articulably coupled to the body 4on the opposite side to the moveable element 102. The lid 104 may beconfigured to articulate with respect to the body 4 about an axis B thatextends substantially parallel to the axis A. The lid 104 may comprisean axial orifice 17 equipped with a valve 101 that may open under thepressure of the product.

[0076] Upon use, the user may lift the lid 104 by pivoting it about theaxis B. The moveable element 102 may then be lifted by pivoting it aboutthe axis A. A pellet 21 may be introduced into the cavity 20 through theopening 24. The user may then flip the intermediate part 102 down aboutthe axis A and pivot the lid 104 down about the axis B. The dispensinghead 15 may then be ready for use.

[0077] Once the pellet of second product 21 has been completelydissolved by the first product P in the reservoir, it can easily bereplaced by proceeding as indicated above. It may be possible, before anew pellet is introduced, for the dispensing head 15 to be rinsed inorder to clean it.

[0078] In the optional embodiment of FIG. 8, the cavity 20 thataccommodates the second product 21 may be formed just upstream of avalve 101 that opens under the pressure of the first product beingdispensed from the reservoir. The second product 21, which may be in asolid or semi-solid pellet form, may be introduced into the cavity 20via the product outlet orifice 17. Care should be taken, for example, byusing an appropriate tool, to pivot the valve 101 about the axis A, soas to uncover the opening enough to allow the pellet 21 to passtherethrough This position for introducing the pellet 21 into thehousing 20 is depicted in FIG. 8.

[0079] Once the pellet 21 has been introduced into the cavity 20, thevalve 101 may return by an elastic return to its closed position, so asto hold the pellet 21 back inside the cavity 20. In use, the firstproduct P conveyed through the passage 16 of the dispensing head 15enters the cavity 20 where it is brought into contact with the secondproduct 21, which dissolves at some rate. Under the pressure of themixture of the first and second product, the valve 101 may move awayfrom the edge delimiting the outlet opening 17 by pivoting about theaxis A. However, the valve 101 may remain close enough to the edgedelimiting the outlet opening 17 for it not to be possible for thepellet 21 to be carried along with the mixture through the outletopening 17.

[0080] A dispensing head 15 according to the latter optional embodimentsjust described also can be used in combination with a reservoir in theform of a tube or tube bottle with elastically compressible walls andfor which the product is made to exit by reversibly squeezing the wallsof the reservoir.

[0081] In the optional embodiment of FIG. 9, a dispensing assembly 1comprises a first reservoir 90 and a second reservoir 91, each onesurmounted by a pump or by a valve. The dispensing head 15 which capsthe reservoirs 90, 91 may be capable of operating the two pumps orvalves simultaneously in response to pressure exerted on the pressingsurface 23 of the dispensing head. The dispensing head is in otherrespects in accordance with any one of the embodiments described withreference to FIGS. 3-5, 6A-6B, 7A-7B or 8. With this optionalembodiment, a mixture or a base composition, itself formed by the mixingof two first products packaged separately in each of the reservoirs 90and 91, and of a second product in solid or semi-solid form packaged inthe dispensing head 15 may be dispensed.

[0082] Preferably, the compositions according to optional aspects of theinvention are cosmetic, dermatological, or pharmaceutical compositionsused for treating the hair, the skin, or the nails. However, in itsbroadest aspects, the present invention could be used to store anddispense many other types of substances. For example, the dispenser maybe used to dispense a variety of products, such as cleaning solutions,polishes, clothing dyes, or the like. Moreover, although reference wasmade to the second product as being in solid-or semi-solid form, it iscontemplated that the second product may be a flowable substance, suchas a liquid.

[0083] Furthermore, sizes of various structural parts and materials usedto make these parts are illustrative and exemplary only and one ofordinary skill in the art would recognize that these sizes and materialscan be changed as necessary to produce different effects or desiredcharacteristics of the dispensing head or dispensing assembly.

[0084] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the structure andmethodology of the present invention. Thus, it should be understood thatthe invention is not limited to the examples discussed in thespecification. Rather, the present invention is intended to covermodifications and variations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing head comprising: a passageconfigured to be placed in flow communication with at least onereservoir for containing a first product; a cavity in flow communicationwith the passage, the cavity being configured to contain a secondproduct; an outlet orifice in flow communication with the cavity, theoutlet orifice being configured to dispense the first product and thesecond product together; and a moveable element configured to articulatebetween an open position providing access to the cavity from outside thedispensing head and a closed position closing off access to the cavityfrom outside the dispensing head.
 2. The dispensing head of claim 1,wherein the cavity is located upstream of the outlet orifice in adispensing flow direction.
 3. The dispensing head of claim 1, whereinthe cavity is located downstream of at least a portion of the passage ina dispensing flow direction.
 4. The dispensing head of claim 1, whereinat least a portion of the passage is located upstream of the cavity in adispensing flow direction.
 5. The dispensing head of claim 1, whereinthe moveable element is further configured to selectively open and closethe outlet orifice from flow communication with the cavity.
 6. Thedispensing head of claim 1, wherein the moveable element is configuredto articulate with respect to a portion of the passage disposeddownstream of the cavity.
 7. The dispensing head of claim 1, wherein themoveable element is configured to sealingly cover the cavity when themoveable element is in the closed position.
 8. The dispensing head ofclaim 1, further comprising a mixing mechanism for facilitating mixingof the first and second products together.
 9. The dispensing head ofclaim 8, wherein the mixing mechanism comprises at least one of baffles,reducers, and breakers.
 10. The dispensing head of claim 8, wherein themixing mechanism is disposed between the cavity and the outlet.
 11. Thedispensing head of claim 1, further comprising a perforated memberdisposed between the cavity and the outlet orifice.
 12. The dispensinghead of claim 1, wherein the moveable element comprises one of a lidattached to a portion of the dispensing head via an articulation and avalve configured to open in response to sufficient pressure.
 13. Thedispensing head of claim 1, wherein the moveable element defines atleast a portion of the cavity.
 14. The dispensing head of claim 1,further comprising a second moveable element, at least a portion of thesecond moveable element defining the outlet orifice.
 15. The dispensinghead of claim 14, wherein the second moveable element is configured toarticulate with respect to at least a portion of the dispensing head.16. The dispensing head of claim 1, wherein the moveable element isconfigured to hold the second product and to position the second productin the cavity when the moveable element is in the closed position. 17.The dispensing head of claim 1, wherein the dispensing head isconfigured to actuate one of a pump and a valve to dispense the firstproduct from the reservoir.
 18. The dispensing head of claim 17, whereinthe dispensing head is in the form of a push-button actuator.
 19. Thedispensing head of claim 1, further comprising the second product,wherein the cavity contains the second product.
 20. The dispensing headof claim 19, wherein the second product is chosen from a solid productand a semi-solid product.
 21. The dispensing head of claim 20, whereinthe second product comprises a product chosen from a solid compress, agum, a loose powder, a compacted powder, a gel, a membrane configured toburst under pressure of the first product, and a membrane configured todissolve upon contact with the first product.
 22. The dispensing head ofclaim 19, further comprising a porous support containing the secondproduct, wherein the porous support is chosen from a open-cell foam, asemi-open-cell foam, a woven material, a non-woven material, and asintered material.
 23. The dispensing head of claim 19, wherein thesecond product comprises a cosmetically active ingredient.
 24. Adispensing assembly comprising: at least one reservoir configured tocontain the first product; and the dispensing head of claim 1 associatedwith the reservoir.
 25. The dispensing assembly of claim 24, furthercomprising a dispensing mechanism associated with the reservoir, thedispensing head being configured to actuate the dispensing mechanism todispense the first product from the reservoir.
 26. The dispensingassembly of claim 25, wherein the dispensing mechanism is chosen from apump and a valve.
 27. The dispensing assembly of claim 26, wherein thepassage is configured to engage with a stem on one of the pump and thevalve.
 28. The dispensing assembly of claim 24, wherein the at least onereservoir is defined by at least one moveable portion.
 29. Thedispensing assembly of claim 28, wherein the moveable portion is chosenfrom a flexible wall and a piston.
 30. The dispensing assembly of claim24, wherein the at least one reservoir has a variable volume.
 31. Thedispensing assembly of claim 30, wherein the volume of the at least onereservoir decreases as the first product is dispensed from the at leastone reservoir.
 32. The dispensing assembly of claim 24, wherein the atleast one reservoir comprises two reservoirs.
 33. The dispensingassembly of claim 32, further comprising two dispensing mechanisms, eachdispensing mechanism being associated with one of the reservoirs todispense the product.
 34. The dispensing assembly of claim 33, whereinthe dispensing head is configured to actuate both dispensing mechanismssimultaneously.
 35. The dispensing assembly of claim 24, furthercomprising the second product, wherein the cavity contains the secondproduct.
 36. The dispensing assembly of claim 35, wherein the secondproduct is chosen from a solid product and a semi-solid product.
 37. Thedispensing assembly of claim 35, wherein the second product comprises acosmetically active ingredient.
 38. The dispensing assembly of claim 24,further comprising the first product, wherein the reservoir contains thefirst product.
 39. The dispensing assembly of claim 38, furthercomprising the second product, wherein the cavity contains the secondproduct, and wherein the first product is capable of dissolving thesecond product.
 40. A method for dispensing a first product and a secondproduct, the method comprising: providing the dispensing head of claim1, wherein the at least one reservoir contains the first product;providing the second product in the cavity; flowing the first productfrom the reservoir to the cavity; and passing the first product and thesecond product from the cavity and through the outlet orifice.
 41. Themethod of claim 40, further comprising actuating one of a pump and avalve to flow the first product from the at least one reservoir.
 42. Themethod of claim 40, wherein the actuating comprises moving at least aportion of the dispensing head relative to the at least one reservoir.43. The method of claim 40, wherein there are a plurality of secondproducts and the method further comprises removing one of the secondproducts that is disposed in the cavity and replacing the removed secondproduct with another one of the second products.
 44. The method of claim43, wherein the plurality of second products are chosen from secondproducts having similar characteristics and second products havingdiffering characteristics.
 45. The method of claim 40, furthercomprising articulating the moveable element to the open position toprovide the second product in the cavity.
 46. The method of claim 40,further comprising mixing the first and second products in the cavity,wherein the passing comprises passing the mixture through the outletorifice.
 47. The method of claim 40, further comprising dissolving thesecond product with the first product.
 48. A dispensing head comprising:a body defining a passage, a cavity, and a dispensing outlet; and amoveable element configured to move with respect to the body from anopen position providing access to the cavity from outside the dispensinghead to a closed position closing off access to the cavity from outsidethe dispensing head, wherein the passage is configured to be in flowcommunication with at least one reservoir for containing a firstproduct, and wherein the cavity is configured to contain a secondproduct to be dispensed together with the first product through theoutlet.
 49. The dispensing head of claim 48, wherein the moveableelement is configured to articulate with respect to at least a portionof the dispensing head.
 50. The dispensing head of claim 49, wherein themoveable element is connected to the dispensing head via an articulationmember.
 51. The dispensing head of claim 50, wherein the articulationmember comprises a film hinge.
 52. The dispensing head of claim 48,wherein the cavity is located upstream of the outlet in a dispensingflow direction.
 53. The dispensing head of claim 48, wherein the cavityis located downstream of at least a portion of the passage in adispensing flow direction.
 54. The dispensing head of claim 48, whereinat least a portion of the passage is located upstream of the cavity in adispensing flow direction.
 55. The dispensing head of claim 48, whereinthe moveable element is configured to articulate with respect to theoutlet and is further configured to selectively open and close theoutlet from flow communication with the cavity.
 56. The dispensing headof claim 48, wherein the moveable element is configured to articulatewith respect to a portion of the passage disposed downstream of thecavity in a dispensing flow direction.
 57. The dispensing head of claim48, wherein the moveable element is configured to sealingly cover thecavity when the moveable element is in the closed position.
 58. Thedispensing head of claim 48, further comprising a mixing mechanism forfacilitating mixing of the first product and the second producttogether.
 59. The dispensing head of claim 58, wherein the mixingmechanism is disposed between the cavity and the outlet.
 60. Thedispensing head of claim 58, wherein the mixing mechanism comprises atleast one of baffles, reducers, and breakers.
 61. The dispensing head ofclaim 48, further comprising a perforated member disposed between thecavity and the outlet.
 62. The dispensing head of claim 48, wherein themoveable element comprises one of a lid attached to a portion of thedispensing head via an articulation member and a valve configured toopen in response to sufficient pressure.
 63. The dispensing head ofclaim 48, wherein the moveable element defines at least a portion of thecavity.
 64. The dispensing head of claim 48, further comprising a secondmoveable element, at least a portion of the second moveable elementdefining the outlet.
 65. The dispensing head of claim 64, wherein thesecond moveable element is configured to articulate with respect to atleast a portion of the dispensing head.
 66. The dispensing head of claim48, wherein the moveable element is configured to hold the secondproduct and to position the second product in the cavity when themoveable element is in the closed position.
 67. The dispensing head ofclaim 48, wherein the dispensing head is configured to actuate one of apump and a valve to dispense the first product from the reservoir. 68.The dispensing head of claim 67, wherein the dispensing head is in theform of a push-button actuator.
 69. The dispensing head of claim 48,further comprising the second product, wherein the cavity contains thesecond product.
 70. The dispensing head of claim 69, wherein the secondproduct is chosen from a solid product and a semi-solid product.
 71. Thedispensing head of claim 70, wherein the second product comprises aproduct chosen from a solid compress, a gum, a loose powder, a compactedpowder, a gel, a membrane configured to burst under pressure of thefirst product, and a membrane configured to dissolve upon contact withthe first product.
 72. The dispensing head of claim 69, furthercomprising a porous support containing the second product, wherein theporous support is chosen from a open-cell foam, a semi-open-cell foam, awoven material, a non-woven material, and a sintered material.
 73. Thedispensing head of claim 69, wherein the second product comprises acosmetically active ingredient.
 74. The dispensing head of claim 48,wherein the dispensing outlet comprises an orifice.
 75. A dispensingassembly comprising: at least one reservoir configured to contain thefirst product; and the dispensing head of claim 48 associated with thereservoir.
 76. The dispensing assembly of claim 75, further comprising adispensing mechanism associated with the at least one reservoir, thedispensing head being configured to actuate the dispensing mechanism todispense the first product from the reservoir.
 77. The dispensingassembly of claim 76, wherein the dispensing mechanism is chosen from apump and a valve.
 78. The dispensing assembly of claim 77, wherein thepassage is configured to engage with a stem on one of the pump and thevalve.
 79. The dispensing assembly of claim 75, wherein the at least onereservoir is defined by at least one moveable portion.
 80. Thedispensing assembly of claim 79, wherein the moveable portion is chosenfrom a flexible wall and a piston.
 81. The dispensing assembly of claim75, wherein the at least one reservoir has a variable volume.
 82. Thedispensing assembly of claim 81, wherein the volume of the at least onereservoir decreases as the first product is dispensed from the at leastone reservoir.
 83. The dispensing assembly of claim 75, wherein the atleast one reservoir comprises two reservoirs.
 84. The dispensingassembly of claim 83, further comprising two dispensing mechanisms, eachdispensing mechanism being associated with one of the reservoirs todispense product.
 85. The dispensing assembly of claim 84, wherein thedispensing head is configured to actuate both dispensing mechanismssimultaneously.
 86. The dispensing assembly of claim 75, furthercomprising the second product, wherein the cavity contains the secondproduct.
 87. The dispensing assembly of claim 86, wherein the secondproduct is chosen from a solid product and a semi-solid product.
 88. Thedispensing assembly of claim 86, wherein the second product comprises acosmetically active ingredient.
 89. The dispensing assembly of claim 75,further comprising the first product, wherein the at least one reservoircontains the first product.
 90. The dispensing assembly of claim 89,further comprising the second product, wherein the cavity contains thesecond product, and wherein the first product is capable of dissolvingthe second product.
 91. A method for dispensing a first product and asecond product, the method comprising: providing the dispensing head ofclaim 48, wherein the at least one reservoir contains the first product;providing the second product in the cavity; flowing the first productfrom the at least one reservoir to the cavity; and passing the firstproduct and the second product from the cavity and through thedispensing outlet.
 92. The method of claim 91, further comprisingactuating one of a pump and a valve to flow the first product from theat least one reservoir.
 93. The method of claim 92, wherein theactuating comprises moving the dispensing head relative to the at leastone reservoir.
 94. The method of claim 91, wherein there are a pluralityof second products and the method further comprises removing one of thesecond products that is disposed in the cavity and replacing the removedsecond product with another one of the second products.
 95. The methodof claim 94, wherein the plurality of second products are chosen fromsecond products having similar characteristics and second productshaving differing characteristics.
 96. The method of claim 91, furthercomprising moving the moveable element to the open position to providethe second product in the cavity.
 97. The method of claim 96, whereinthe moving the moveable element comprises articulating the moveableelement with respect to the body.
 98. The method of claim 91, furthercomprising mixing the first and second products in the cavity, whereinthe passing comprises passing the mixture through the outlet orifice.99. The method of claim 91, further comprising dissolving the secondproduct with the first product.
 100. A dispensing assembly comprising:at least one reservoir for containing a first product; an airless pumpassociated with the at least one reservoir for flowing the first productfrom the at least one reservoir; and a dispensing head for actuating theairless pump, the dispensing head comprising a cavity configured tocontain a second product, and an outlet in flow communication with thecavity, the outlet being configured to dispense the first product andthe second product upon actuation of the airless pump.
 101. Thedispensing assembly of claim 100, wherein the dispensing head furthercomprises a passage, at least a portion of the passage being configuredto engage with the airless pump.
 102. The dispensing assembly of claim101, wherein at least a portion of the passage is located upstream ofthe cavity in a dispensing flow direction.
 103. The dispensing assemblyof claim 101, wherein the passage is in flow communication with thecavity.
 104. The dispensing assembly of claim 100, further comprising amoveable element coupled to at least a portion of the dispensing head,the moveable element being configured to move from an open position toprovide access to the cavity from outside the dispensing assembly to aclosed position closing off access to the cavity from outside thedispensing assembly.
 105. The dispensing assembly of claim 104, whereinthe moveable element is configured to articulate with respect to atleast a portion of the dispensing head.
 106. The dispensing assembly ofclaim 104, wherein the moveable element is coupled to at least theportion of the dispensing head via an articulation member.
 107. Thedispensing assembly of claim 106, wherein the articulation membercomprises a film hinge.
 108. The dispensing assembly of claim 104,wherein the moveable element defines at least a portion of the cavity.109. The dispensing assembly of claim 104, wherein the moveable elementis configured to hold the second product and to position the secondproduct in the cavity when the moveable element is in the closedposition.
 110. The dispensing assembly of claim 104, wherein themoveable element is configured to move with respect to the outlet toselectively place the outlet in flow communication with the cavity. 111.The dispensing assembly of claim 100, wherein the cavity is locatedupstream of the outlet in a dispensing flow direction.
 112. Thedispensing assembly of claim 104, wherein the moveable element isconfigured to articulate with respect to a portion of the passagedisposed downstream of the cavity in a dispensing flow direction. 113.The dispensing assembly of claim 104, wherein the moveable element isconfigured to sealingly cover the cavity when the moveable element is inthe closed position.
 114. The dispensing assembly of claim 100, whereinthe dispensing head further comprises a mixing mechanism forfacilitating mixing of the first and second products together.
 115. Thedispensing assembly of claim 114, wherein the mixing mechanism comprisesat least one of baffles, reducers, and breakers.
 116. The dispensingassembly of claim 114, wherein the mixing mechanism is disposed betweenthe cavity and the outlet.
 117. The dispensing assembly of claim 100,further comprising a perforated member disposed between the cavity andthe outlet.
 118. The dispensing assembly of claim 104, wherein themoveable element comprises one of a lid attached to the dispensing headvia an articulation member and a valve configured to open in response tosufficient pressure.
 119. The dispensing assembly of claim 104, whereinthe moveable element defines at least a portion of the cavity.
 120. Thedispensing assembly of claim 104, further comprising a second moveableelement, at least a portion of the second moveable element defining theoutlet.
 121. The dispensing assembly of claim 120, wherein the secondmoveable element is configured to articulate with respect to at least aportion of the dispensing head.
 122. The dispensing assembly of claim100, wherein the dispensing head is in the form of a push-buttonactuator.
 123. The dispensing assembly of claim 100, further comprisingthe second product, wherein the cavity contains the second product. 124.The dispensing assembly of claim 123, wherein the second product ischosen from a solid product and a semi-solid product.
 125. Thedispensing assembly of claim 124, wherein the second product comprises aproduct chosen from a solid compress, a gum, a loose powder, a compactedpowder, a gel, a membrane configured to burst under pressure of thefirst product, a membrane configured to dissolve upon contact with thefirst product.
 126. The dispensing assembly of claim 123, furthercomprising a porous support containing the second product, wherein theporous support is chosen from a open-cell foam, a semi-open-cell foam, awoven material, a non-woven material, and a sintered material.
 127. Thedispensing assembly of claim 123, wherein the second product comprises acosmetically active ingredient.
 128. The dispensing assembly of claim100, wherein the outlet comprises an orifice.
 129. A method fordispensing a first product and a second product, the method comprising:providing the dispensing assembly of claim 100, wherein the at least onereservoir contains the first product; providing the second product inthe cavity; flowing the first product from the at least one reservoir tothe cavity; and passing the first product and the second product fromthe cavity and through the outlet.
 130. The method of claim 129, furthercomprising actuating the airless pump by moving the dispensing headrelative to the at least one reservoir.
 131. The method of claim 129,wherein there are a plurality of second products and the method furthercomprises removing one of the second products that is disposed in thecavity and replacing the removed second product with another one of thesecond products.
 132. The method of claim 131, wherein the plurality ofsecond products are chosen from second products having similarcharacteristics and second products having differing characteristics.133. The method of claim 130, wherein the dispensing head furthercomprises a moveable element, and wherein the method further comprisesarticulating the moveable element to an open position to provide thesecond product in the cavity.